China-based Jacobio Pharma (HKG: 1167) has announced a clinical partnership with Merck, Sharp & Dohme Inc. (NYSE: MRK) to assess the clinical effects of Jacobio’s CD73 monoclonal antibody (mAb) JAB-BX102 combined with Merck’s PD-1 inhibitor Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in advanced solid tumors. No financial details were disclosed in the partnership agreement.
Clinical Trials and Drug Development
JAB-BX102 received clinical trial approvals in the United States in October 2021 and in China in March 2022. The drug has initiated a multi-center, open Phase I/IIa study to assess its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary anti-tumor efficacy, either as a monotherapy or in combination with Keytruda in advanced solid tumors. Public clinical data suggest that the CD73 mAb/PD-(L)1 combination can significantly prolong the survival of non-small cell lung cancer patients.
Jacobio’s Drug Discovery and Development Platforms
Jacobio Pharma operates in Beijing and Shanghai, China, and Boston, Massachusetts, US. The company is known for its induced allosteric drug discovery platform and iADC drug development platform. Its product pipeline focuses on six major tumor signal pathways: KRAS, tumor immunity, tumor metabolism, P53, RB, and MYC.-Fineline Info & Tech
